Power Steering Failed Problems of BMW Z4

In the spring of 2018 the power steering started to fail becoming stuck, notchy and quickly terrifying to drive. The lack of response, over correction once engaged, overall jumpiness and unpredictability caused me to stop highway driving immediately. Non highway driving ceased within days for the same reasons and it has been in the shop since waiting for a used steering column to become available for $800 instead of $3500 plus install. I bought the car in 2011 with 110,000 miles and it failed at 130,000. My understanding is the engine should be good for another 100,000 easily. This steering failure appears to be common in this car with many garage kept low mileage cars yet to be impacted.

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Power steering completely failed. Car is very difficult to drive creating an unsafe condition. Car has 23,256 miles. I stored the car from October 10, 2015 until March 27, 2016. Took the car out on easter Sunday for about 10 miles, car ran fine. Pulled it out of the garage on March 29, 2016 and steering assist failed completely. Did not drive the car on the road. Called my local BMW dealer and scheduled a service appointment for April 14, 2016.

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The contact owns a 2005 BMW Z4. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

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Steering got sticky in a middle of a 90 degree turn nearly resulting in a crash as power steering motor failed temporarily. We understand this is a common problem for this particular BMW vehicle, especially on hot days. Today it was around 85 degrees f. We have owned the car for 5 months and this is the first time this problem occurred, likely because this is the hottest day since the day we bought it in September of last year. We understand that BMW has received almost 50,000 complaints related to this issue and we also understand that NHTSA has seen it fit to close their investigation. We are baffled by this decision as steering problems can be fatal and obviously the defect lies in the manufacturing process and should be corrected by BMW before fatalities start to occur.

The contact owns a 2005 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the power steering failed and the steering wheel tightened. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

The steering on the car becomes 'notchy' and 'twitchy' especially at higher speeds and warm weather. The steering wheel will intermittently stop responding to input for a short range of input, then suddenly start working after a limited range. While driving at high speeds in a straight line, the steering will suddenly pull to one side requiring that the steering wheel is held straight very firm or the car will lunge to the side. The issue was diagnosed by two different BMW repair shops. Both concluded the electronic power steering is failing and the entire steering column needs to be replaced. Estimated repair cost is just under $4,000.

As I backed out of parking space, power assisted steering failed. I managed to drive vehicle with much increased steering effort. It is doubtful that my wife could have managed to drive. Vehicle was towed to dealer where the steering column is being replaced.

On my drive home from work, after the car had been parked outside, I experienced "sticky steering. " just like the complaints from investigation pe10020 and countless internet posts over the past decade, the steering wheel movement was stuck in place and required extra force, then it would release unexpectedly causing me to over-correct. Worse than just heavy steering is the fact that it needs extra force to get the steering wheel "unstuck" but then the assist kicks in and you're over-compensating which causes zig-zagging. It was almost impossible to maintain my lane on the interstate and at one point I dropped two wheels on the shoulder. I have now contacted BMW corporate and they tell me they're being generous by replacing the known-faulty steering rack -- so long as I pay $1,000+ in labor. I think this is outrageous. It is wrong that this known defect costs the consumer any money to replace. BMW should cover parts and labor. They know this part is faulty, everyone I've talked to says "OH, the Z4, yeah I've seen this steering problem on lots of them" but they're quick to remind me that it was not an official recall so they aren't obligated to do anything. This is a safety issue and should be the basis for a mandatory recall (you know, like the one they are doing on current models with similar power steering failures!).

The power steering assist has failed on the car making it very difficult to steer. Luckily it failed while on a straight part of an interstate as my daughter was driving the car and this severely frightened her. She did not overreact and we took appropriate measures to get the vehicle home. Online research indicates that this issue was being investigated by NHTSA in 2010 but can not find any indication that an actual recall is in place. This is a very dangerous thing to happen, especially in a state with a lot of winding roads (tennessee). I purchased the car used last year and also had a water pump failure that resulted in a blown engine. I wish this issue had been investigated also as I understand that it is a common failure with this particular engine. There is also a problem with the speedometer and fuel gauges reading incorrectly. I read that one owner was contacted by BMW north America after they filed a complaint regarding the power steering with NHTSA and BMW voluntarily fixed the problem for the owner. I hope I have the same luck after posting this complaint. Thank you.

Steering "stickyness". Steering intermittently becomes harder, then "releases". It feels like the power steering fails temporarily, causing the driver to apply more force to the turn. Then without warning, the power steering re-engages ,and the car wil lturn more rapidly.

When car sits out in the hot sun 100 degrees or better for an extended period of time, is difficult. Steering wheel stays in a tuning position and does not return to center, it sticks in whatever turn you put it in. You must manually force the steering wheel back to center. Just today 10/26/2010 all of the warning lights came on and power steering completely failed while driving and the car would not change gears.

Power steering failure at highway speeds and high temperatures.

2005 BMW z-4 power steering failure 7-5-2010 car has 7,000 miles on it, backed out of driveway ,lost steering.

2005 BMW Z4 power steering failure. Steering wheel tends to stick in place and not want to turn. Started acting this way on July 3, 2010. Temperature was about 93 and the problem was noted at many different speeds. Was at a restaurant in panama city, FL. Came out, started the car and heard strange knocking sounds from the front of the car like someone knocking on wood. Pulled out of the restaurant and noticed that the steering didn't want to turn unless additional abnormal pressure were applied to the steering wheel. This was an in-town situation but has continued since. Drove the vehicle approximately 70 miles to get back home and could feel the abnormality the rest of the trip which included freeway speeds up to 70mph. Have driven the car 3 times since then and the problem still exists as of July 7th, 2010.

BMW Z4 power steering fails when outside temp is above 80 degrees. BMW acknowledges the problem, but will not recall for this issue updated 05/14/10.

BMW 2006 z-4 3. 0 si power steering unit failed to operate at vehicle start up. The car was taken to the local BMW dealer (BMW long beach CA) where the failure of the power steering unit was confirmed by the mechanic. After inspection of the unit by the dealer the unit began to operate with no further faults found, an additional three days of testing and troubleshooting by the dealer failed to identify or repeat the original fault with the unit-- no parts were replaced.

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Power steering column failed in 2003 BMW Z4 3. 0i with less than 45,000 miles. Best way to describe the steering was that it became magnetic and twitchy. This would usually happen after driving the car for a period of time at highway speeds. I first experienced this driving back from orlando, FL to jacksonville, FL on I-95. BMW dealer comped the part ($3,000. 00) but made me pay for labor ($600. 00). I was not happy as I truly felt that this was a safety issue. I pushed, but was told that was their best offer so I took it. Car was out of factory BMW warranty.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving 40 mph the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the steering column was replaced. Six months after the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. The recent failure was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,000. Updated 6/25/cn updated 7/1/13 the consumer stated the steering would not return to center by itself. Updated.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that when driving at speeds above 60 mph or when driving in high temperatures above 80 degrees the power steering would fail, making it difficult to steer. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. The current mileage was 43,000. The VIN was unavailable.